Meteor shower expected over central and eastern England

A SPECTACULAR meteor shower is set to illuminate the skies in central and eastern England tonight (August 12).

Up to 50 shooting stars per hour are expected as conditions, including clear skies and a thin crescent moon, have lined up to allow for excellent viewing for the Perseid meteor shower.

The event will happen as the Earth passes through a dust ring created by the comet Swift-Tuttle.

Dr Phil Rosenberg, who works at the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds, said: "It's a meteor shower that happens every year. As the Earth passes around the Sun it passes through trails of dust which have come off comets.

"A trail is basically dust that's blown off from a comet. It's mostly ice with dirt and dust and muck.

"The ice from the comet evaporates as it comes near the Sun and releases dust. Rings of dust then start to form around the Sun.

"Once a year we pass through that ring and we get dust hitting the top of the atmosphere and each speck of dust will be a shooting star."

He added: "This year is a particularly good year because the moon is only a thin crescent.

"The shooting stars are happening right now but you can't see them because of the daylight.

"Three or four in the morning will be the best time because the Earth is spinning into the dust at that time of the morning.

Dr Rosenberg recommends heading out of towns and cities for the best views.

He said: "Head away from any lights and away from the road. Take a comfy chair, woolly hat and cup of cocoa."